LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are well-regarded for their capacity to cultivate young talent.
Players like Cameron Murray, Adam Reynolds, and John Sutton started as juniors at the club and have successfully transitioned to first-grade rugby.
In line with this tradition, the Rabbitohs recently announced the securing of seven emerging talents who will contend for slots in the NRL by 2026.
Among the talents are recent NRL debutants Ashton Ward and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, who have accumulated six and nine games of NRL play respectively. Both have signed contract extensions with the NSWRL, ensuring their presence at the club until the end of the 2026 season.
Furthermore, Tim Johannsen, who was named the Rabbitohs' NSW Cup Players' Player for 2025, will also continue with the club until 2026 under an NSWRL contract.
Dayne Jennings has also garnered recognition for his dedication. Although he is currently signed with an NSWRL contract for 2026 and an NRL Supplementary contract for 2027, the promising 17-year-old will be elevated to an NRL Top 30 contract in 2028.
To conclude the series of contract extensions, promising fullback Charlie Poynton has signed an NSWRL extension for the upcoming 2026 season.